Unlikely Inspiration: Ikea Channels Christopher Kane

Whilst browsing the huge warehouse space at Ikea Croydon last weekend, I can honestly say I didn't expect to find a significant nod to Christopher Kane amongst the tea lights and pine shelves, but lo and behold there was one. In fact, a whole range of prints had sprung up, focusing on plant life and biology, in a major reference to Kane's S/S14 collection, which he had referred to as 'sterilised petals'.

 [Image via Ikea.com] Who knew walnuts were so on-trend?

 [Image via Style.com] The catwalk goes botanical.

What Christopher Kane addressed was the perfect print quality of a biological drawing, with the symmetry of the petals and the overall flower structure creating something that's easy on the eye and flattering on the figure. Plus it doubles up as revision if you're studying biology or botany in any capacity, especially as Kane referenced textbooks in the collection itself, and education in the music choice of the catwalk show.

 [Image via Ikea.com] A more traditional botanical drawing on sale.

 [Close-up image via Ikea.com]. The brain-like walnut in detail.

With Ikea bringing the scientific side of florals into the home, it's a clear sign that Kane is onto a winner. It's normal for colour trends to cross over into interiors but I've never seen a mainstream home ware brand so obviously take a cue from just one designer. The walnut print, in particular, is an unmistakeable tribute to the S/S14 range.

[Images via Style.com] Snippets of Kane's floral notes.

Perhaps in the future we should expect to see more lone design inspiration making its way onto the shelves of Ikea - Rodarte-esque sunflowers or goth weaving? Dolce & Gabbana-esque Italian domestic seaside images featuring buxom models in pasta earrings? The floor is open...

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer 2012

 'Fabulous' t-shirt by River Island for FTBC.

I'm always keen to see the latest charity fashion collaborations on the market and Fashion Targets Breast Cancer has really excelled itself with the Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Instead of working on the 'target' logo exclusively, they've allowed different brands to really put their stamp on things. That means you get Jubilee-inspired crockery from Debenhams and a flower-filled odyssey from M&S, with no two products the same. Here are my top fashion picks from the range, and how they tackle the current trends.

'Amazing' t-shirt by River Island for FTBC.

The 'Fabulous' and 'Amazing' t-shirts that River Island contributed are the perfect example of how to give a charity piece longevity, so you can pull it out of your wardrobe season after season. These tees also struck a chord with me because I'm a massive sucker for typographic art and anything reminiscent of the great artist Ed Ruscha, whose love of a good enlarged capital letter is well documented.

Trend boxes ticked:

• 1990s Grunge - the washed out feel of the t-shirts means they'll look great with cut-off jeans and Vans, or creepers.
• Wipe-out - that whole 'surfing in Hawaii' thing could be done nicely if you paired this tee with H&M's neoprene wedge shoes, a salt spray-splattered fishtail plait and some hot-pants.
• Pale and Interesting - with the washed out palette of blues, pinks and purples, all you need to complete the look is a pair of pastel chinos or a toothpaste stripe pencil skirt and some vintage kitten heel shoes.

Ana Dress by Coast for FTBC.

If you're looking for the perfect Mad Men-esque outfit then Fashion Targets Breast Cancer can help there, too. This dress from Coast gives you a nipped in waist, hips and a defined bust (without flashing the flesh), finishing at mid-calf length. 

Trend boxes ticked:

• Laced Up - you've probably noticed that lace is everywhere this season, especially in white or cream. The overlay here means that the pattern really stands out against the dress fabric. To toughen it up, add some minimalist block heel ankle boots and statement rings.
• Cut and Paste - the patchwork element of layering fabrics on top of each other also gives a nod to another trend. I'd add sherbet-coloured socks and silver spike heels to create further contrast.

 Post-Surgery Swimsuit by Marks and Spencers for FTBC.

A more poignant example of the important work done by FTBC is this swimsuit designed for women who have been through breast cancer surgery and are dealing with a single or double mastectomy. The print used emphasises that you don't give up on fashion when you're adapting to a changing body, and you can still give a nod to what's feminine or what's current without losing your own sense of identity. 

Trend boxes ticked:

• Heavy Petal - the use of ditzy florals in pink, red, orange and jade green means that you get a gentle boost of colour. I like the way it could easily be a Liberty print fabric.
• Illusion Shapes - the pattern followed by the panel of red is the same kind of illusion created by Stella McCartney's polka dot dresses, giving an hourglass figure.

 Floral satchel and purse by M&S; tweezers by Shavata, both for FTBC.

And now for the accessories: Marks & Spencer continued the floral theme with this satchel and purse, both of which have brown leather accents. They tap in nicely to the trend of English Eccentric, with the retro print and the overriding practicality for summer days out. As for the tweezers by Shavata, these are a more traditionally designed item, using the 'target' logo once again, but keeping things clear and precise (much like your brows should be, once you've used these).

All in all, this is a really strong collection that appeals to women of all ages and is sure to perform well at the tills. Combining relevant colours and shapes with practical pieces that you could actually imagine sitting in your wardrobe, it's brilliant to see that charity can be so seamlessly combined with fashion. Don't forget that an amazing 30% will be donated to Breakthrough Breast Cancer from the branded products sold. Get shopping!

For more information, please see the official Fashion Targets Breast Cancer website.

Say It With Flowers: Quince, Brighton

 [All images my own - click to enlarge. Please ask before reproducing]. 

You can't beat the smell of a florist's shop.

As per usual, spring has brought us the trend of florals - no surprises there, then. But whilst I was dreaming of clashing my flower-strewn pastels and brights on a sunny Saturday with friends, we came across this gorgeous shop in Brighton's Lanes. If you think that being a florist involves putting a few daffodils in a vase, you'd be very much mistaken. This is a lesson in how to do florals, from the people that sell them.

 The shopfront, in a muted tobacco/sage green.

Quince has only recently opened, and it offers a mixture of flowers, antiques and upcycled objects that have taken on a new purpose. Whereas many antique shops can be stuffy or intimidating, this was a really welcoming place and the owner was genuinely sweet.

 The flowers speak for themselves.

 Inside we were met by a riot of colours and shapes.

 If we were to take anything fashionable from this, it's that you can definitely mix the size of your florals - in this case they're real, but in an outfit you could combine corsages with Liberty print shoes by Clarks, or some sunflower print pieces by Rodarte.

 I love pieces that tell a story.

Forget faux-vintage - when you see this 18th Century trunk, dating back to approximately 1760, you'll be hankering for objects with a genuine history. I'd love to know what was kept in here - clothes, documents or the equivalent of a man's tool shed? It was made by Arabella Brown, whose husband was a chest and box maker and an undertaker, and she carried on the family trade when he died. One of my ancestors was a box maker in the 1800s so it was pretty special to see what other people in the same profession were doing, albeit some years earlier.

 Find an interesting vessel for your flowers and you're onto a winner.

The range of containers on offer was really interesting - as I approached the desk to buy a Mother's Day present (I went for a blue and white china pot with some indigo flowers) there was even an old sugar bowl about to be an important component of the next arrangement. Everything from glass to terracotta was on offer.

Look out for the lamps - they're also pretty unique.

To really set off the bouquets, there were also some amazing lamps at Quince, where upcycling had given forgotten objects a new lease of life. This clarinet caught my eye, as did a champagne bottle light. 

The key thing to take from Quince is to expect the unexpected. Whether you're planning an outfit or decorating a room, don't go for the easy option if there's a way you can inject a little personality instead. English eccentricity is worth embracing, especially when you say it with flowers (or clarinets).

Quince, Brighton

2 Nile Street

BN1 1HW

Remembrance Poppies - Patrick Wolf keeps the trend alive

[Image via the Patrick Wolf Palisade Tumblr site].

Here in Britain we have a great tradition of wearing paper poppies as a sign of remembrance for those who fought in wars since WWI. It's not necessarily about patriotism, more about the recognition of courage, peril and loss, with the poppy being chosen after its prevalence in the fields of WWI battle sites. I wear one every year, with particular thoughts for the members of my family who were involved in WWI and WWII, with traumatic and life-changing consequences. The singer Patrick Wolf, who is a favourite of mine, posted an image today on his Tumblr blog of his poppy being proudly worn for his 'soldier ancestors and all those who never came home', and he encouraged others to do the same - 'be sure to wear yours this November'.

I'm glad that Wolf has shown his support for this cause and promoted it to his fans, because it's slowly becoming more and more difficult to raise awareness and for people to properly acknowledge Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. When you buy your paper poppy you are not provided with a safety pin to attach it to your clothes because that was deemed too risky by the health and safety police a few years ago, so now you are responsible for your own pin-related injuries. Luckily the Poppy Appeal has been gradually moving towards fashion alternatives so that people can incorporate the cause into their everyday wardrobe more effectively, and without a safety pin problem in sight. I also wanted to explore poppy-inspired looks that take the strong colour or image and use it with stunning results, because I felt it's important to translate this theme to daily life and fashion (the very angles that the Poppy Appeal has taken).

[Image via the Poppy Appeal's Shop].
This large crystal brooch, £25, by Buckley won't get damaged in the rain (a danger of the paper ones) and it's glitzy enough to make an impact. Brooches have been having a major resurgence in fashion over the past couple of years, due to the demand for vintage-inspired clothing and the return to a British heritage look. You could wear this well with a tea dress and brogues.

[Image via the Poppy Appeal's Shop].
At secondary school I used to pin two poppies in my hair, to make them stand out more. These Kleshna enamel hair slides feel like a more mature version of my idea, and they'd also be useful for coaxing your hair into pin curls. Setting you back £12.95 for two, they're more expensive than normal hair accessories but you won't find them anywhere else and you're also helping out the Poppy Appeal with your purchase.

For the ultimate in poppy-inspired decadence, get some inspiration from this Acne Moorea evening dress with eye-catching asymmetric straps. In 'poppy red', it's a stunning colour that would be complemented nicely by the hair slides. Available from My-Wardrobe.com.

Vivienne Westwood's Anglomania range has made use of 'Poppy tartan twill' fabric to create a selection of pieces that would give you the figure of a wartime sweetheart. This blouse (£295) is curve-creating and celebrates the beauty of a feminine figure. It would look great topped off with a poppy necklace and a faux fur tippet. Available from Net-A-Porter.

For a more literal interpretation, Topshop has this ombre-dyed blouse (£40) that contrasts vermillion with inky blue. It's a sophisticated piece, with bell sleeves and a high neck, though you wouldn't want to pin a poppy through the delicate fabric. As an alternative, the Kleshna hair slides would continue the theme, or you could opt for a poppy phone charm from the official Appeal Shop.

Lastly, Jonathan Saunders has gone print crazy with this poppy scarf at Harrods, which takes the motif and uses a variety of colours (everything from turquoise to moss green). It's a very modern take on this traditional flower, but somehow the mix really works. At £289 it's pretty pricey, so you might prefer to make a donation to the Poppy Appeal instead.

Armistice Day - 11th November.
Remembrance Sunday - 13th November.